Numbers 24:23

Balaam's Seventh Message From God

23 Then he spoke the message he had received from God. He said, "Who can live when God does this?

Numbers 24:23 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 24:23

And he took up his parable, and said
Or delivered another prophecy, having made some little pause:

alas, who shall live when God doeth this?
referring not to what goes before, but to what follows; though Jarchi and Aben Ezra think it refers to the Assyria conquering and carrying captive, not only the Kenites, but all the nations of the world, so that there was no living comfortably in it on his account; but this is said after Balaam had taken up his parable again, and so respects what follows, as the destruction of the Persian empire by Alexander, in which Ashur or the Assyrians were included; and the destruction of the Jews by the Romans more especially; which was such as had not been the like from the beginning of the world, ( Matthew 24:21 Matthew 24:22 ) , and perhaps may have a further respect to the affliction of the witnesses and church of Christ by antichrist; see ( Daniel 12:1 ) .

Numbers 24:23 In-Context

21 Then he saw the Kenites. He spoke the message he had received from God. He said, "The place where you live is safe. Your nest is on a high cliff.

22 But you Kenites will be destroyed. Assyria will take you as prisoners."

23 Then he spoke the message he had received from God. He said, "Who can live when God does this?

24 Ships will come from the shores of Kittim. They will bring Assyria and Eber under their control. But they themselves will also be destroyed."

25 Then Balaam got up and returned home. And Balak went on his way.